Catch 22 cannot access account to close it

[Wits_end]

I set up an account circa 2012. Maybe one or two uses. I have moved and did not take my phone number with me. I can access my email linked to the account. I do not have the card details linked to the account. Don't even know which type of card it was. I now hear by email from PayPal that I will soon have to pay to have the account. When I log in, it tells me that I must confirm who I am via my old phone number. This I cannot do. I have called ALL kinds of numbers. Had numerous live chats. Round and around and around. Does anyone have a number where a REAL person will speak to me and allow me to close my account. Please help. Thanks.

[Whitmann]

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/10/paypal-to-introduce-p12-yr-fee-for--inactive--account...

This would seem to be the crucial bit:

"From 16 December 2020, if your account has been inactive for over 12 months, you'll be charged a fee which is the lesser of £12 or your entire PayPal balance. If you don't have any money in your PayPal account, or your balance is negative, PayPal says you won't be charged a fee (even if you have a credit or debit card linked to the account)."

So if it's not an account you use and there's nothing in it, they won't charge you.

[kernowlass]

@Wits_end 

Try:

1. Downloading the app to see if it will let you in to change / update it in the settings.

2. Use the forgotten password option.

3. Trying another browser that may let you in without phone verification (then change it when you have logged in).

4. Trying again another day when sometimes you can get in without doing the verification and then change the number.

5. Changing the password a few times sometimes works as it can bypass the phone verification.

If that does not work then you would need to contact customer services so that they can i.d. you another way and then add your new phone number to your account.

Contact options for Paypal at the moment are...

Paypal phones are mostly non operational since covid but sometimes you get lucky. (use the guest option if you can't log in).
If there is one available it will show when you click help / contact bottom left of Paypal pages for options available in your country.
Live chat is randomly available.
You can send them a message.
Or
have you considered contacting Customer Service via Facebook or Twitter?
You can send them a personal message from their facebook or twitter pages.
It's: https://www.facebook.com/PayPalUK and @AskPayPal for Twitter.